A Definitive List of the Best-Smelling Perfumes of All Time (2024)

A signature scent should be timeless, perfect for any situation and at any age. Whether you're into woodsy, crisp or sultry notes, the best perfumes for women feature irresistible aromas that linger on skin all day but never become cloying. But with so many fragrances on the market, finding your holy grail perfume can be a challenge. While you can always opt for one that stirs up a nostalgic memory (just think of Mom's oh-so-familiar scent), you may be looking for a signature scent all your own. One place to start: Classic perfumes that have stood the test of time.

Before you douse yourself with every sample in the perfume department, browse our list of the best-selling, most popular perfumes in the world, with options ranging from richly scented rose fragrances to cozy transitional scents to light and breezy summer perfumes featuring refreshing hints of vanilla and coconut.

Our top picks:

Whether you're shopping for yourself or looking for a gift she'll love, we've rounded up the all-time best women's perfumes for every occasion, scent preference and season, including affordable perfumes that won't break the bank. Find your new scent soulmate ahead!

Much like your daily cup of joe, this Yves Saint Laurent coffee-scented concoction is addictive and adds a bit of warmth to the palette. Blending swirls of rich coffee and vanilla with white flowers, it's a seductive scent that will wake you up (just in time for date night).

With a profile that we can only call wearable yet irresistible, this GH Beauty Award Winner charmed our Lab experts thanks to its warm scents of amber, musk and cedarwood. The fragrance smells cozy and soft but offers a subtle sweet aroma that melds seamlessly onto skin's natural scent.

Perfect for warmer months, this light and sweet Lancôme fragrance features bright, effervescent notes of white iris, patchouli, vanilla and spun sugar.

You will feel like a world traveler with this luxurious Guerlain perfume: Notes of lavender from Provence, jasmine from India, sandalwood from Australia and vanilla from Papua New Guinea define this warm, rich fragrance.

Smoky, spice and everything nice — Le Labo's most popular scent carries an unmistakably woody scent that combines musky cedarwood, leather and sandalwood base notes, balanced by subtle flowery accents. One beauty editor attests to its familiar rich scent that stays on forever.

This Maison Francis Kurkdjian creation quickly rose to fragrance fame thanks to its irresistible, head-turning aroma. It's the most unique mix of jasmine, cedar and amber that’s warm, sensual and strong yet somehow soft — totally addictive and the kind of signature scent people stop and ask about.

Whether your nose is sensitive to strong smells or you're looking for something subtle to wear every day, this Philosophy fragrance won't envelop you in an overwhelming cloud of heavy scents. Crisp citrus notes of orange and grapefruit are combined with soft white florals for a delicate finish.

Picture this: You're lounging in a French garden surrounded by freshly blooming peonies and roses. A few spritzes of this Dior floral fragrance will transport you there.

Conjure up the smell of the salty air and the feel of the warm summer sun with a spritz of this Maison Margiela Replica scent. It swirls notes of lemon, coconut milk and amber to mimic the scents of a seaside afternoon.

Like Narciso Rodriguez's popular little black dresses, his iconic fragrance is synonymous with chic simplicity. The spritz is centered around notes of musk, amber, wood and vanilla.

If you grew up admiring your mom's bottle of Chanel No. 5 perfume on her vanity, this equally enviable bottle — with more modern and energizing notes of orange, jasmine, rose and patchouli — is an elevated alternative to the classic.

Envelop yourself in the crisp scents of autumn with this classic Ralph Lauren fragrance. Notes of white violet leaves, marigold and oak moss conjure up memories of a cozy fall hike beneath changing leaves.

Like a bottled-up bouquet, Flowerbomb's fresh-smelling fragrance bursts with warm and spicy floral scents of jasmine, freesia and rose — though it's balanced by base notes of patchouli, musk and vanilla. Inspired by garden parties, the Viktor & Rolf perfume is housed in a cheeky grenade-shaped bottle and earns its cult-favorite status for its versatility in both daytime and nighttime.

Like a freshly ironed white button-down shirt, this Elizabeth Arden scent is always classy and never goes out of style. The subtle blend of white tea, sage, white iris and musk is softly inviting but not overpowering.

This Trish McEvoy fragrance elevates fruity notes like blackberry and plum by balancing them with richer hints of woods, vanilla and musk. We're fans of its subtle, irresistible sweetness balanced with warmth.

Since 2007, Marc Jacobs's youthful mix of wild strawberries, jasmine and vanilla has charmed with its approachable, fresh fragrance and playful flower cap.

Not every woman wants to smell like a bouquet of flowers. For an earthier scent, this Jo Malone cologne includes just two simple notes: sea salt and sage. Don't be surprised if your partner winds up stealing a spritz or two.

On top of its attractive price tag, this Estée Lauder classic wows with its lightly floral fragrance. Designed to capture the "freshness of flowers after a spring rain," this scent features top notes of white lily, violet and green leaves.

If the first day of spring is your happy place, consider this light and subtle bouquet of tuberose and jasmine from Gucci your perfect perfume pick-me-up.

Dreaming of sipping your favorite drink on the beach? Spritz on Dolce & Gabbana's summery cocktail of Sicilian lemon and tropical jasmine to satisfy your sunny day craving.